Tie device



A. s; MATHERS.

TIE DEVICE,

APPUCATION FILED MAY 28, 1921.

1,423,133. Patented my 18, 1922.

fizzle/N357": filer/4126761 5 M azers,

ZOJJ

TIE DEVICE.

Application filed May 28,

To all whom it may concern,-

Be it known that I. Aimxaivcnn S. MArnnRs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the. county of Los Angeles and State of California, have in vented new and useful Improvements in Tie Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has to do with a. device for tying or connecting members or objects together, and it is an object of the invention to provide a simple, effective, convenient device of this character.

Various devices heretofore provided and used for holding objects together have either been more or less ineffective, complicated, inconvenient to manipulate, bulky, or ungainly. For instance nails, although simple and easy of manipulation are more or less in effective in that they work loose and do not hold securely, screws although they hold securely and do not readily work loose are more or less inconvenient to apply and remove, and clamp devices of various kinds are characterized by being. more orless complicated of construction and inconvenient to manipulate. The device-of the present invention is extremely simple in construction and manipulation, is neat and sightly, and is particularly effective.

A noteworthy feature of the invention is the provision of a device of the character specified which is effective and is simple both in construction and manipulation. The device comprises only two parts both of which are of simple and inexpensive formation making the device inexpensive of manufacture. In operation the device can be very easily and quickly arranged in positionto be actuated and requires onlv one simple, easily executed operation for its actuation. The device can be very easily and quickly detached from the objectsheld together by it and leaves the objects practically without mutilation.

The device of the presentinvention is applicable for use in various arts and in a large variety of structures. For the purpose of describing a. typical application of the device and to thereby facilitate a clear and accurate understanding of the invention T herein describe in detail a form of the invention particularly adapted to hold together two members arranged together transversely of each other. In the following detailed description I refer to a bowling alley and to a Specification of Letters Patent.

invention Fig. 2 is an Patented July 18, 1922. 1.921. Serial No. 473,456.

support for the bowling alley as two membersor objects to be secured together by "the present device. It will be understood, of course, that the device of the present invention is capable of considerable modification from that herein specifically pointed out and that it is not necessarily limited in application to any specific arrangement of members or class of structures.

The various objects and features of the invention will be best and more fully understood from the following tion of a typical embodiment of the invention throughout which reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which b Fig. l is a transverse, sectional view of a bowlingalley supported on a transverse support member and held to and in place on the support member by devices-of the present enlarged plan view of one edge portion of the bowling alley at the support, showing in plan 'a device of the present invention holding the alley and support together, being a view taken as indicated by line 22 on Fig. 1;

at the support being a view taken as indicated by line" 38 on Fig. 2; i gisan enlarged transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line device of the present invention arranged in detailed descrip- 4-fi on Fig. 3 showing the I Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the alley position ready to be actuatcdl ig; 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4; showing the device of the present invention actuated and in posi tion to solidly and securely holdthe alley on and to the support; Fig. 6 is'similar to Fig. showing the device ready to be actuated; and Fig. 7 is a pers 'iective view of the device provided by the present invention independent-of any other parts.

Throughout the drawings numeral. 10 designates a typical bowling alley mounted on-a transverse support 11. The bowling alley 10 is of the usual laminated construction and has a flat finished top 122, a fiat bottom 13 parallel with the top 112. and fiat sides or edges let connecting the top 12 and bottom 13. The support 11, which is merely one of a plurality of supports arranged to carry the a hay 10, is rectangular in cross sectional are formed of wood, the alley usually being i of hard wood such, for instance, as maple.

} connection between the two near their inner ends by a suitable pivot pin 18. The legs 16 and 17 diverge outwardly from the point of pivotal connection and correspond with each other in every respect except that the inner end portion 19 or the leg 1? extends only to the point of pivotal legs while the inner end portion 19 of leg 16 extends somewhat beyond the pivotal connection between the two legs. Although various means may be provided for pivotally connecting the inner end portions of the legs 16 and 1? it is preferred that a simple inexpensive form of construction be employed, say for instance, that they be connected by a straight pivot pin 18 the ends of which are flattened or riveted over to form heads. The pivot pin 18 need not be removable as the practical use of the device does not require separation of the legs 16 or 17.

The outer end portions of the legs 16 and 17' extend somewhat inwardly, or are at an angle to the inner end portions 19 of the legs. The angularity of the outer end portions 20', relative to the inner end portions 19, is preferably, although not necessarily, such that the end portions .20 are substantially parallel with each other when the innor end portions 19 form an angle oi. substantially 90. 7 p

I; wedge shaped projection extends from the inner end of the leg 16 in a direction substantially transverse ol the plane of the legs, or parallel with the axis of the pivot pin 18; In practice it is desirable to form the projection 25 integrally with the leg as such constructionis simple inexpensive and strong. The projection 25 is preterably comparatively broad and hat and is tapered outwardly or is wedge shape so that its outer 26 is sutliciently sharp to :lily cut into wood or the like. The projection extends from the leg 16 so that it is substantially horizontal in transverse direction and extends outwardly and somewhat upwardly from the end of leg 16 in a longitudinal direction when the legs are arranged in a vertical plane with their outer portions 20 arranged vertically. ll hen the outer portions 2O 01'. the legs are in this last mentioned position that is. when they are substantiall vertical the inner portions 19 oi the legs ex tend upwardly and inwardly from the outer portion 20 to the point of pivotal connection at angles of substantially it the outer end of each outer portion 20 there is a wedge shaped projection 30. The projections 30 on the two portions 20 face each other, or face inwardly in the manner clearly shown in the drawings. The projections 30 on the two portions 2 0 in facing or extending generally toward each other extend in directions substantially at right angles to the direction which the projection 25 entends. The projections extend in directions at right angles to the axis or the pivot pin 18 while the projection 25 extends substantially parallel with the pivot pin 18. T he projections 30 are tapered or wedge shaped so that their outer edges 31 are sufficiently sharp to readily cut into wood. or the like. l hen the legs are positioned so that the outer portions 20 are substantially parallel the projections 30 extend inwardly and somewhat downwardly. The shape of the projections 30 and the relation that they bear to each other and to the v arious other parts of the device will be clearly and readily understood from inspection 01' the drawings. It is preferred that the projections 30 be integral with the legs.

in applying the device to two members, say for instance to the alley 10 and support 11, the legs 16 and 17, are swung apart so that they form an angle of considerably more than and until their outer parts 20 can be placed over the support 11 so that the edges 31 01 the projections 30 engage the sides of the support 11 at opposite points inthe manner clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 or the drawings. placed over the support 11 with the projection tacing the side 1: of the alley 10, and so that the legs 16 and 17 extend, generally, upwardly from the points where the projections 30 engage the support 11 and extend somewhat outwardly relative to the alley it) when the outer edge 26 01 the proon 25 is in engagement with the side 11 c alloy 10. shown in Fig. 4:. .he projection 25 extends outwardly and somewhat upwardly from the inner end of leg 16 to the point where it engages the side of the alley, while the projections 30 extend inwardly and somewhat downwardly from the ends 01 the end portions 20 to the points where they engage the sides oi the support 11. The positioning of the device just described is clearly illustrated by Figs. 1 and (1. When the device has heen arranged in position just described it may be actuated to hold the alley and support 11 together, by drivii the projection 25 into the side of the alley until it is completely embedded in the alley. ll hen the projection. is completely embedded in the alley. the legs 16 and 1'? are at or close to, the side of the alley and the projections 30 are embedded in the support 11. Figs. 3 and 5 clearly illustrate the positioning of the device when actuated in the The device is thus vice, that is of the device.

just described. In actuatingthe de in driving the projection 25 into the side oi, the alley, say by hammering, the alley and support are drawn closely together and the projections 80 automatically wedge or enter into" the sides or the support ll. The drawings of the'alley and support together and the wedging of manner grip or bite into the sides of the support 11 The proand resist the upward movement; jections upon entering the support 11 tend to extend inwardly'and downwardly into it and thus tend to draw the, entire device downwardly. Forcing the projection 25 into the alley projections 30 causes the projections 30 to embed themselves in the support 11 and causes the alley and support to be drawn tightly together. When the device as been actuated or is in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5 the pro ection 25"extends onlv slightly upwardly into the side of the alley 10 and therefore there is very little tendency for it to work out of the side ofthealley. It will be obvious .how cannot possibly work out of the support 11 so long as the projection 25 is in place in the alley 10. Under some circumstances it may be found desirable to assist the actuation of the device by driving the projections 30 into othe support 11 as well as driving the projection 25 into the alley 10.

Ii at any time it is desired to release the two parts. that is, the alley and support, it is merely necessary to withdraw the projection 25 from the side of the alley whereupon the legs can be easily spread or swung out causing the projections 30 to withdraw from the sides of the support allowing the device to be lifted from around the support.

In the preferred form of the invention I term an opening or hole in one, or in both, of the legs of the device sothat the device can be held in placeagainst the side of the alley by means of a screw or nail 41 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. It will be obvious how a nail can be very easily and quickly driven through a hole 4-0 in one of the legs and into the alley when the device is in place and how a nail this driven through a hole 40 and into the side ot the alley will. very efi'ectively hold the device in place and positively prevent its working loose even where the members held tothe projections 30 into the support 11 is caused by the man I against the resistaneeof the i'iccasionally.

the projections 30 gether are subjected to vibration and jarring. It will be understood, of coin'se, that a nail or screw used to hold the device in position need only be comparatively small and does not have to-be anything like as large ofthe present "invention.

From the foregoing description it will be readily understood howthe device may be very easily and ch'capl x manufactured, how it can be very quickly and conveniently applied or removed, and how it will eiiectively draw and hold members solidly and securely together. It is to be understood, of course, that the proportions and designs of the device may be varied considerably from that herein specifically set forth to acccnnnodiuie the particular circumstances under which the device is to be used or to lit the particular members which'are to be held together. It may be pointed out that the present de vice is particularly strong and facture and how it may be used numerous t mes. 'Devices made in accordance with the present invention may be advantageously used'in structures which temporary or in. structures which areto be taken apart I For instance; devices oi the present invention may beadvantageously used in the construction'of scatloldingin connection with stage scenery, etc:

Having described only a typical embodi ment of my invention I do not wish to limit myself to the specific details hereinabove set forth but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or that may fall. within the scope of the following claims.

Having described a preferred form of my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, two outwardly diverging legs pivotally connected at their inner ends, inwardly extending projections at the outer ends of the legs, and a transversely extending projection'at the inner end of one of the legs.

2. In a device of the character described, two legs pivotally connected at their inner ends and diverging outwardly from the point of pivotal connection, a projection at the outer part of eachleg extending toward the other leg, and a projection at the inner part of one of the legs extending in a direction transverse of the plane of the legs.

3. In a device of the character described, two legs pivotally connected at their inner ends. and diverging outwardly from the point of pivotal connection, a projection at the outer part or" each leg extending outplane of the legs.

would be necessary to secure the members together rt used without the device I durable even though it is simple and inexpensive oi: manu- Lind In a device of the character described, two legs pivot-ally connected at their inner ends and diverging downwardly from the point of pivotal connection, a projection at the outer part of each leg extending toward the other leg, and a projection at the inner part of one of the legs extending in a direction upwardly and transverse ot the plane oi? the legs.

5. In a device of the character described, two legs pivotally connected at their inner ends and diverging downwardly from the point of pivotal connection, a projection at the outer part of each leg extending downwardly toward the other leg, and a projection at the inner part of one of the legs extending in a direction upwardly and transverse of the plane of the legs.

(3. In a device of the character described, two-legs pivotally connected at their inner ends and diverging outwardly from the point of pivotal connection, a wedge shaped projection at the outer part of each leg extending toward the other leg, and a projection at the, inner part of one of the legs extending in a direction transverse of the plane of the legs.

7. In a device of the character described, two legs pivotally connected at their inner ends and diverging outwardly from the point of pivotal connection, a projection at the outer part of each leg extending toward the other leg, and a wedge shaped projection at the inner part of one of the legs extending in a direction transverse ot' the plane of the legs. I v

8. In a device of the character described,

two pivotally connect-ed at their inner ends and diverging outwardly from the point 01 pivotal connection, a. sharp wedge shaped projection at the outer part oi each legextending toward the other leg, and a sharp wedge shaped projection at the inner part of one of the legs extending in a direction transverseof the plane of the legs.

9.,111 a device of the character described, two legs ends and diverging outwardly from the point of pivotal connection, a projection at the outer part oi each leg extending toward the other leg, and a broad project-ion at the inner part of one of the legs extending in a and disposed in a substantially horizontal. plane.

10. In a device of the character described, two legs having pivotally connected innerv portions and, diverging downwardly from the point of pivotal connection and substantially vertical outer portions, a projection at the outer part of each leg extending toward the other leg, and a projection at the inner part or one of the legs extending in a direction transverse of the plane of the legs.

11. In a device of the character described, two outwardly diverging legs pivotally connected at theirinner ends, inwardly extending projections at the outer ends of the legs,

and an integral transversely extending project-ion at the inner end of one of the legs. In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 21st day of May, 1921. i I

ALEXANDER S. MATHERS.

pivotally connected at their inner direction transverse ot' the plane of the legs 

